Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa fell 0.0 percentage points in September 2018 to 2.5%. The state unemployment rate was 1.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in May 2009 at 6.6% and is now 4.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.5% in August 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	September 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.2	-0.5
Iowa	2.5%	0.0	-0.5

Note: All comparisons are made with September data as October state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in June 2009 at 111,837. There are now 70,071 fewer people unemployed in the state. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	September 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Iowa	41,766	-957	-8,265

Number of Unemployed Persons

Iowa Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployed
October 2018	3.7%	—	—
September 2018	3.7%	2.5%	41,766
August 2018	3.9%	2.5%	42,723
July 2018	3.9%	2.6%	43,958
June 2018	4.0%	2.7%	44,905
May 2018	3.8%	2.7%	46,039
April 2018	3.9%	2.8%	46,965
March 2018	4.1%	2.8%	47,332
February 2018	4.1%	2.9%	47,919
January 2018	4.1%	2.9%	48,331
December 2017	4.1%	2.9%	49,267
November 2017	4.1%	2.9%	49,153